Ask Me No Questions #13

"I can feel it, the water pressing all around us, pulsing from below. Abba's fingers reach for mine.
And we do as he taught us. We hold our breaths, then let them out, bit by bit.
We push forward , into the the unknown. Go." (page 159)

To me this is a great way to end the book, it lives you with the image of water and breathing in the book which was a huge theme and activity in the book. My favorite part is when Nadira says, Abba's fingers reach for mine. That made me think of the family reconnecting and joining into a family again. That would be a joy to there family to reconnect and to have a fresh beginning. When they speak of holding their breaths, then letting them out, bit by bit. First thing i think about is being in sync. They are taking it one step at a time as a family, which is good for them, because they were sepereated for a good amount of time. I'm glad everyone is straightened out especially Aisha opening up about her family, that was a great choice on her part. We push forward, into the unknown. Go. That was a great way to end the book just the perfect cliff hanger but not to much. This was an awesome book, and I would definately recommend it!

Ask Me No Questions #12

" 'You gave up because everything stopped being easy. Just because you couldn't conquer this thing like you always did. I think, Aisha, that you're always thinking about doing or saying the right thing. Wearing the right clothes. Blending in. But sometimes...sometimes you have to tell them who you really are. What you really think. You have to make them see us.' " (page 147)

Bottom line is that you should always be real and not put on an act about who you really are. You don't want to lie about your appearance or the way you think. You want to be real to everyone and shine like a star and be yourself. If you do that that's a start to a good relationship friends or something more serious. I especially like how Nadira mentions that Aisha worries about... Wearing the right clothes. Blending in. But sometimes...sometimes you have to tell them who you really are. What you really think. You have to make them see us. This really stuck out to me because who you are on the outside is nothing like whom you are on the inside. You can have the uggliest person on the outside but a sweet person on the inside. I love that Nadira speaks out towards Aisha. I hope that Aisha really grasps and takes into consideration what Nadira Says!

Ask Me No Questions #11

It's weird having my mother cry in my arms when it should be the other way around. (page 127)

I understand completely what Nadira is saying here, normally it's always your mom caring for you not you caring for your mother. But sometimes things happen to the parents when they need someone to care for them. It's hard for Ma in this time. She has gone a long time without seeing her girls and to finally to see them must bring joy to her eyes. I hope Nadira knows how much this means!

Ask Me No Questions #10

"Strong lungs, they would say for Abba. Strong lungs give him staying power. He's the on who always lasts." (page 114)

This few sentences stuck out to me about Abba, it reminded me immediately about family. Even though this relates to swimming it can also help you with other things in life that come your way. When you have strong lungs it's also similar to being able to stand your own ground and take care of business. In thins case with the lungs of Abba he wants and is trying to help out as much as possible. Let's hope Abba's strong lungs from swimming can help him in another way to allow him to help out his family in a time of need.

Ask Me No Questions #9

"I've never hear her lie so much, right to someones face. And bout Ma and Dad, who aren't like what she's saying at all." (page 109)

This couple sentences caught my eye. I was very surprised that the goody tuscious was saying such a terrible lie, Isn't she supposto to be the "good girl". Maybe or maybe NOT. When Nadira said I had never seen her lie so much, at leas not in someones face, that made me think...Does she lie when no pressures on her, Is some of her life made up of lies. I doubt it...but the clues may say something differently. I'll keep reading and hopefully find out soon. I thought it was terrible about what she said about her parents. I think she didn' have to come on so strong. She lies now, but your lies catch up to you and you never know what's going to come up that you can get mixed in/ up in your lies. That's why you stay truthful most of the time. We do all slip up.

Ask Me No Questions #8

"She gets up early to go to school, studying in the empty classrooms. She's like a boxer, jabbing and hitting, trying her old moves, but this time she's up against something that's so much bigger than her, beyond her power." (page 93)

I love the connection Marina made in the text, it's so convincing and believable. To me when all authors use similes it makes that particular scene stand out that much more. It gives the text a special touch that will not make you forget that phrase. It's so true Aisha is always studying. I mean does she ever think to give herself the slightest break. BY doing that she wont have to slack out. She can get ahead a little bit and then take a breather. Maybe that can help her out. It's worth a try.

Ask Me No Questions #7

"No matter what we tell Aisha, she won't listen. She sobs harder and harder, her back banging against the cushioned booth." (page 87)

To me Aisha is feeling a lot of responsibility and pressure from her family. She is obviously extremely disappointed about not being able to help her uncle. She's blamming it all on herself and she should not do that to herself. I understand that it would be hard if your uncle was caught and had to leave his family.I think that the border control should think about themselves being in those people shoes. If they did that they might have an entire different way of thinking/ processing. If I was in this position I think I'd be tough on myself as well. I really hope it works out for the better eventually.

Ask Me No Questions #6

"We've always been told to never say a word about our status. We can have friends at school, even hang out after with them. But we were taught to keep to ourselves." (page 68)

I found this few sentences kind of sad, the reason I say that is because I have been taught not to be closed in but to be able to share things with people that are close to me. I think it would be hard to keep everything of my life hidden inside me. I'm always telling my best friends about whats going on in my life and I can't imagine not being able to. Well I guess if you grow up custom to that it's just known not to do that, because you don't want to blow your cover. I wonder if people would still be very secretive if the United States was more casual about letting people from other countries immigrate here?

Ask Me No Questions #5

She slaps the covers. "Come on, Fatso. Let's go."

"Where?"

"Just get dressed. I'll tell you later."

Here I was, feeling a little sorry for Aisha, and then she calls me names and bosses me around. Still I hike myself out of bed and stumble into the bathroom," (page 59)

This has to stop with Aisha, I have mixed feelings towards her one minute she's pissing me off the next moment she is being a really nice sweetie pie. She's on and off like a flickering light. I have faith and her of only she would try to do something nice for her sister i mean at least give her some respect. It's really going to encourage her to get better if you call her a fatso. I'm sure you just wanted her attention and that would help but can't you turn to other solutions like spraying water on her face. I heard that always works. When Nadira asks the question about where they were going it really bothered me how come she couldn't just answer instead of leaving her wondering. When my mom does it to me, she always responds just ride and you'll find out when you get there. I mean sometimes you just want to know. I think sometimes people just get tired of hearing where?

Border Comparasin

Watching the documentary Wetback I found it a little sad yet engaging and interesting. I learned about the different ways to immigrate to the United States, I also saw how much anxiety people had to come to the United States and Canada because their are many more opportunities then they’re is in Latin America. The way the people were immigrating was by foot, that’s a lot of walking, going through many countries. By immigrating to a country so far away is saying these people have strong determination.

It is very discriminative to call these people wetbak’s. Just because they are coming from a different place in the world they discriminate. They are only coming for a better life. If you were in their position of poverty I’m sure you would want to come to North America for a better life too. What they do is just what Nadira and her family did to come to a new place for a fresh start. I think they should treat everyone equally.

Ask Me No Questions #4

"You think you can just start again? I see you there! Sitting around, fat and lazy! What are you going to do?' " (page 44)

When uncle said that I was surprised and shocked. My opinions on uncle was that he was this sweet gentlemen who cared for others dearly. Maybe he is, but definitely don't get him started about crossing the border. It was very extreme! He said strong and crude words to Nadira that she could take the wrong way. But that was his whole plan to get her down so that she could feel bad about trying to start over. He wanted her to grasp that it is not an easy task to cross the border. I know what he said to Nadira wasn't nice, but she did have to understand that it's not a piece of cake and that it takes hard work and persevierence. Uncle giving her this lesson was good, because I'm sure it made her think twice about her decision. Let's hope that she's not a rebel and try to do bad things. Hope!

Fairness, Respect & Honor

From reading this book so far I realize that Aisha is always in the spotlight and Nadira always sits in the corner. No recognition at all. She should stand up for what's right. Aisha is always talking crappy to Nadira and shows her no respect and Nadira treats her with respect. Obviously she hasn't heard treat others how you would like to be treated, and if she ha she definitely doesn't do it. And if she does I'm assuming she wants people to talk crappy to her. I wonder? They are both young ladies that should learn to respect one another!

Ask Me No Questions #3

“I don’t like the way the adults have been talking to me since this all began. Either they speak like I’m a little baby who can’t understand the stupidest thing, or they gaze at me with the weight and sadness of the world behind their eyes, making me feel so confused I wished they’d just shut up.” (page 36)

I think that Nadira has been treated differently since they have gone through the process of crossing the border to Canada and then returning again to New York. The reason I feel her parents stopped talking as much is because It was/is extremely stressful going through a complicated situation. Especially having the family being separated in different places can cause some people to be angry and stressed out. That’s how I think Abba and Ma are feeling at the moment, but I’m feeling this the most from Abba.

I don’t understand why they would talk to a young lady that’s definitely no longer a baby nor a toddler with a little baby voice. I feel that’s crossing the line and doing to much. Nadira is not a stupid person at all and her parents should give her the respect she deserves. Nadira should express her feelings towards her family and tell them that she is no longer a baby and should be treated her age. Sometimes I feel like I can’t get a word in when I’m talking in a group of people and I would love for them to shut up, but at least the conversations I’m in the people treat me my age. I hope Nadira opens up and speaks her mind and says that she doesn’t like the way they look at her with the gaze in their eye and the other gestures they show her.

Puja's Great Connection!

Great Connection Puja!!!

I do agree that Aisha and Nadiras Ma might be having a difficult time realting and getting to know such a different place then her native country in India. She will have to learn another way of living, hopping she wont loose her traditions she had in Bangladesh. I believe that Ma will be fine just try and move with the flow.

Ask Me No Questions #2

"Aisha's words sting. My weight is a sore subject in our house. Ma says I'm just a little big for my age. But the clinic doctor says I have to cut back on candy and milk sweets and get more exercise." (page 26)

I do agree. Aisha's words do sting. When it comes to weight and health problems that could be a big issue for someone. It's so hard to listen to someone like your sister call other people out, saying their overweight and judging them by the color of their skin, that they have diabetes or high blood pressure. First of all she has no idea what's going on in these peoples life so its hard to judge them by their looks on the outside. Maybe they look horrible on the outside but on the inside they could be one of the sweetest people. I think It would be extremely hard for Nadira to listen to Aisha say such crude things to people when she sometimes is concerned about her weight. I think that Nadira should ask her sister to help her with her weight and encourage her not to judge others by their looks on the outside but to get to know people more on the inside.